Is the homosexual lifestyle dangerous?

The only time I ever use the “q-word” is when referencing the show “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy,” starring one of my favorite gay male celebs Carson Kressley (tied, of course, with Neil Patrick Harris).

It has been a very popular topic at the newsroom to talk about Troy mayor Janice Daniels’ use of the q-word, bringing nationwide controversy.

Most recently, last week I wrote a story about how Daniels called the homosexual lifestyle “dangerous” in an interview with talk radio AM-1270 host Charlie Langton.

When I called her up on her cell phone, asking her what references she had to the lifestyle being “dangerous,” she said she didn’t know and that I would have to ask a doctor.

I’m not sure why she called it dangerous if she didn’t know why it was dangerous, but I can only guess that she was referencing AIDS or STDs.

Sleeping around is what causes sexually transmitted diseases — not being gay.
You may wonder what this topic has to do with my blog.

I’m bringing this up because I have to agree. I do think the homosexual lifestyle is dangerous.

But probably not for the same reason Janice Daniels does.

It’s the people who bully people who are gay, who make fun of them and who make them feel like they are “diseased” which makes the homosexual lifestyle dangerous.

One example of the homosexual lifestyle being dangerous, and leading to death, is the case of 18-year-old Tyler Clementi, a student at Rutgers University. One and a half years ago, Clementi’s roommate Dharun Ravi (who was released from jail two days ago after serving 20 days) set up a webcam in their shared room to videotape Clementi kissing another man. He told others about it in person, in texts, instant messages and tweets. One night later, Clementi lost his life to suicide.

According to Youth Pride Inc., 36.5 percent of gay, lesbian and bisexual youth grades 9 through 12 have attempted suicide, and gay and lesbian youth are two to three times more likely to attempt suicide than heterosexual young people.

I don’t know what can be more “dangerous” than that.

But the fact that Clementi was gay was not what caused this to happen. It was the way he was treated for being gay.

The way many people in the LGBT community are treated for their sexual orientation is what is dangerous.

Many people treat those in the gay community like they are somehow lesser than their straight counterparts. If someone made me feel like I was lesser than them because of my sexual orientation, I, in turn, would probably feel like my life was less worthwhile as well.

I want to ask you this. If you preach about gay people going to hell, what would you say if that person told you he or she was going to commit suicide -- sick of hearing things like this.

Would your tune change?

Those who say things like that sometimes forget the possibility that this could happen.

If you are gay and you are considering taking your life, please rethink it. There are a lot of people who feel the same way as you do, and you are not alone. Instead, why don't you help those who are going through what you are, and help in making the homosexual lifestyle more accepted (instead of a "danger" or a death sentence).

If you need someone to talk to, call the Trevor Project lifeline at 866-488-7386.

Monica Drake is the Communications Representative for the State of Michigan's Office of Good Government. She previously worked as an editor and reporter for The Oakland Press in Pontiac, Mich. Suicide awareness has been important to her ever since her relative lost his life to suicide. Now, she wants to help people by sharing signs of depression, reasons to live, resources, suicide and bullying prevention groups, other people's stories and memorials. She especially wants to show people that they are not alone.